Explore every episode of the podcast Ukraine Stories

Mykola had a regular job in Mariupol. On days off he fixed bikes, led bicycle tours. After the war started, he needed to find a way out. 

Lilia and her daughter lived under Russian occupation in Melitopol. Then they got out. 

Oleksandr makes it out of Mariupol. But he still hasn't heard from his parents, who are trapped there. 

Oleksandr wanted to leave Eastern Mariupol, which was under attack. But his parents wanted to stay, to protect everything they had built. 

Serhii and his fiancee, Natalie, were separated by Russian troops, just a few miles apart. And then Serhii had an idea. 

Yuri is a lawyer. When the war started, he knew his job would have to change. Now he gathers evidence of what he believes are war crimes. 

Alexey used to be a wedding planner in Mariupol, a city that is now under siege. Then he got the keys to a basement. 

Valentina lived in a city in Eastern Ukraine that is now a front line in the war. She saw too much from her apartment window. 

Sasha was in Donetsk, visiting her father, when the war started. But then her father kicked her out. Now she just wants to get back home.

Nadia fled Mariupol and now lives in a shelter. Every day she hopes her phone will ring. She is waiting for her daughter and grandsons.

Olena used to be a life coach, part of the "new Ukraine." Now her life is different. 

As Svetlana and family and friends tried to escape Russian occupation, their car came under attack at a checkpoint. This is the story of a woman who survived. 

When the war started, Svetlana and some family and friends went to hide in a village outside Kyiv. But Russian soldiers occupied the village. Svitlana and the others started running out of food and electricity. So they tried to leave.

Taras wanted his parents to live outside of Kyiv, near the forest. When the Russians came, the family had a difficult decision to make.

Saurabh is from New Dehli, India. Now his home is Ukraine. As an outsider, he used to be able to joke about the place. But these days it’s different.

Sonia and her grandmother never had a very good relationship. And then the war came.

Max knew he had to do something to help, after the war started. But he couldn’t figure out what.

Tatiana had a good life in a suburb outside of Kyiv. Then the Russians occupied her town.

Marco first fell in love with his wife, and then he fell in love with her country. When the war started, Marco and his wife had a choice to make.

Galyna left Mariupol in a hurry, with a backpack, a dog, and a camera. Before she did, she was able to say goodbye.

David Greene tells you what this show is all about.